Health InsuranceAustralian Broadcasting Corporation: All contenthttp://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/absolute=true,health-insurance
en-AUCopyright 2015, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:49:44 +1100Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:49:44 +1100http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssABC NewsHealth insurance premiums set to rise, consumers urged to shop aroundhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-27/private-health-insurance-premiums-to-increase-from-april/6269364
Private health insurance premiums are set to increase by an average of 6.18 per cent from April, and Health Minister Sussan Ley is encouraging people to "shop around" for the best deal.
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Fri, 27 Feb 2015 15:23:21 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-27/private-health-insurance-premiums-to-increase-from-april/6269364Health InsuranceHealthInsuranceMedibank boosts profit by taking a scalpel to costshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-20/medibank-bank-boosts-profit-by-taking-a-scalpel-to-costs/6159852
The newly listed private health insurer Medibank Private posts a 10.8 per cent increase in net profit, but its shares have fallen in response to the result.
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Neal WoolrichFri, 20 Feb 2015 10:06:28 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-20/medibank-bank-boosts-profit-by-taking-a-scalpel-to-costs/6159852Company NewsInsuranceHealth InsuranceThe Health Quarter January 17http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/the-health-quarter-january-17/6021760
Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:49:44 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/the-health-quarter-january-17/6021760HealthInfectious Diseases (Other)Diseases and DisordersHealth InsuranceNational Disability Insurance Scheme: Local coordinator to oversee rollout in APY Landshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/national-disability-insurance-scheme-local/6021490
A local coordinator will oversee the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in South Australia's APY Lands.
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Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:37:34 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-16/national-disability-insurance-scheme-local/6021490DisabilitiesCommunity and SocietyIndigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)Health InsurancePrograms and InitiativesObamacare passes one-year anniversary as fresh legal challenge loomshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-06/obamacare-reaches-one-year-anniversary/5994348
More than 10 million people in the United States have taken up health insurance since president Barack Obama's healthcare reforms came into effect a year ago, but a new legal challenge against the laws loom in the nation's highest court.
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Michael VincentTue, 06 Jan 2015 09:51:11 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-06/obamacare-reaches-one-year-anniversary/5994348World PoliticsObama, BarackHealth InsuranceCalvary terminates health insurance contractshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-10/calvary-funds/5878348
The Australian Health Service Alliance is warning of extra charges for some patients at the region's only private hospital.
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Mon, 10 Nov 2014 07:26:51 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-10/calvary-funds/5878348Health InsuranceHealthcare FacilitiesRegionalCalvary negotiations with health insurers break downhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-07/calvary-negotiations-with-health-insurers-break-down/5875676
A major falling out between the Calvary Health Care group and an alliance of health insurers is likely to leave patients out of pocket.
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Fri, 07 Nov 2014 17:25:46 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-07/calvary-negotiations-with-health-insurers-break-down/5875676HealthHealth InsuranceWoman urges families to investigate insurance after son is left with severe brain injuryhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-03/woman-urges-families-to-investigate-insurance-after-son-is-left/5860960
A woman, whose son suffered a severe brain injury after falling from Newcastle's post office six years ago, is urging Hunter families to think hard about insurance.
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Mon, 03 Nov 2014 06:05:00 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-03/woman-urges-families-to-investigate-insurance-after-son-is-left/5860960InsuranceHealth InsuranceAccidentsFunds manager Roger Montgomery discusses the Medibank salehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-20/ros-childs-discusses-the-medibank-private-sale/5827514
Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:45:42 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-20/ros-childs-discusses-the-medibank-private-sale/5827514Health InsuranceGovernment's Medibank Private sales pitchhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-28/federal-government-begins-medibank-private-sale-pitch/5774458
Investors can now pre-register for shares in Australia's biggest health insurer, Medibank Private.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann announced the Federal Government would soon begin a national advertising campaign to promote the pre-registration process of the share offer which could generate up to $4 billion.

He said those who pre-register can be allocated more shares than those who do not; while eligible policy holders who pre-register and apply for shares will receive a greater preferential share location.

"It's been long standing Coalition policy to sell Medibank Private. There is absolutely no good reason for the Federal Government to own a private health insurance business today," Senator Cormann said.

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Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:42:41 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-29/medibank-sale-to-go-ahead/5706430Federal GovernmentHealth Insurancenib increasing its medical tourism businesshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-26/nib-increasing-its-medical-tourism-business/5696540
Newcastle based health insurer nib has told investors it is spending $5 million as it ramps up its new medical tourism business.
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Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:41:45 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-26/nib-increasing-its-medical-tourism-business/5696540Health Insurancenib announces profit despite increased competitionhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-25/nib-announces-profit-despite-increased-competition/5694052
Hunter based private health insurer nib has recorded a four per cent jump in net full year after tax profit to $69.9 million.
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Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:43:18 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-25/nib-announces-profit-despite-increased-competition/5694052Health InsuranceBusiness, Economics and FinanceSenate to report on rising out-of-pocket healthcare costshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-22/senate-delivers-report-on-rising-out-of-pocket-health-care-costs/5687910
Australians are paying more than ever towards their healthcare costs and rising insurance premiums, technology and transport are to blame.
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Fri, 22 Aug 2014 06:05:30 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-22/senate-delivers-report-on-rising-out-of-pocket-health-care-costs/5687910Health PolicyHealth InsuranceHealth AdministrationHealthcare FacilitiesHealthCommunity and SocietyFederal ParliamentGovernment and PoliticsWarning of two-tiered system if private health extends insurance to GPshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-20/warning-of-two-tiered-system-if-private-health-extends-to-gps/5684416
Dentists say the influence of the private health industry has led to a two-tiered system in their sector and they oppose extending insurance to GP clinics.
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Wed, 20 Aug 2014 16:23:23 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-20/warning-of-two-tiered-system-if-private-health-extends-to-gps/5684416Health InsuranceHealthInsuranceIndustryBusiness, Economics and FinanceRegulationGovernment seeks to privatise Medicare processinghttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-08/government-seeks-to-privatise-medicare-payments/5659114
Medicare payments could be processed by private providers as the Federal Government looks to cut the size of the public service.
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Fri, 08 Aug 2014 17:23:08 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-08/government-seeks-to-privatise-medicare-payments/5659114Health PolicyHealthHealth InsuranceBusiness, Economics and FinanceGovernment and PoliticsFederal GovernmentPublic SectorPromise check: Restore the private health insurance rebatehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-27/restore-the-private-health-insurance-rebate-promise-check/5569742
At the Coalition campaign launch on August 25, 2013, Tony Abbott promised to restore the private health insurance rebate within 10 years.
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Sun, 27 Jul 2014 17:57:50 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-27/restore-the-private-health-insurance-rebate-promise-check/5569742Abbott, TonyLiberalsFederal GovernmentHealth InsuranceHealthDoctors warn against health insurers paying for GP visitshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-23/ama-head-warns-government-against-managed-care-health-system/5618516
The Australian Medical Association is warning the Federal Government against moving to a system where health insurers, rather than Medicare, pay for GP visits.
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Karen BarlowWed, 23 Jul 2014 16:18:51 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-23/ama-head-warns-government-against-managed-care-health-system/5618516Health AdministrationHealth InsuranceHealth PolicyDoctors and Medical ProfessionalsFederal GovernmentHealthCSU and MLHD to investigate health insurancehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-13/csu-mlhd-study/5520474
A new research project is aiming to explore why Riverina patients are not using their private health insurance on public health services.
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Fri, 13 Jun 2014 07:15:06 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-13/csu-mlhd-study/5520474Health InsuranceHealth AdministrationHealthcare FacilitiesUniversity and Further EducationRegionalMake amends for FOFA with the Medibank floathttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-22/kohler-make-amends-on-fofa-with-the-medibank-float/5468644
The Finance Minister should (partly) redeem himself for the Future of Financial Advice fiasco by sidestepping investment banks when he floats Medibank Private.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-22/kohler-make-amends-on-fofa-with-the-medibank-float/5468644#commentsAlan KohlerThu, 22 May 2014 06:45:13 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-22/kohler-make-amends-on-fofa-with-the-medibank-float/5468644Consumer FinanceBusiness, Economics and FinanceBankingHealth InsuranceFederal GovernmentHigher health insurance premiums for smokers and overweight: Commission of Audithttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-06/increasing-health-insurance-premiums-for-smokers-and-obese/5431658
The Federal Government's Commission of Audit has proposed that private health funds should be able to charge more to insure smokers and overweight people.
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Emma WynneTue, 06 May 2014 11:13:22 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-06/increasing-health-insurance-premiums-for-smokers-and-obese/5431658Health InsuranceHealth PolicyFederal GovernmentObesitySmokingHealth care industry concerned over potential Medicare shake-uphttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/commission-of-audit-proposals-for-medicare-worry-health-industry/5426124
The Commission of Audit recommendations would signal the end of Medicare and fail to help patients, health care industry representatives say.
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Sophie ScottFri, 02 May 2014 13:56:10 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/commission-of-audit-proposals-for-medicare-worry-health-industry/5426124Federal GovernmentHealthHealth PolicyHealth InsuranceGovernment and PoliticsFight for a socialised healthcare systemhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-30/lelliott-fight-for-a-socialised-healthcare-system/5418464
Talk of changes to Medicare as part of the Budget make this the perfect time for Labor to argue for a radical overhaul of our healthcare system.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-30/lelliott-fight-for-a-socialised-healthcare-system/5418464#commentsJoff LelliottWed, 30 Apr 2014 13:27:32 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-30/lelliott-fight-for-a-socialised-healthcare-system/5418464Health AdministrationHealth PolicyHealth InsuranceGP clinics sign up for private health insurance schemehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-10/gp-clinics-sign-up-for-private-health-insurance/5380064
Four GP clinics on the Gold Coast and three in Cairns have signed on to a private health insurance program that offers priority care to members of a private health fund.
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Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:17:27 +1000http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-10/gp-clinics-sign-up-for-private-health-insurance/5380064Health InsuranceHealthcare FacilitiesMedibank sale doomsayers are off the markhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-02/duckett-medibank-sale-doomsayers-are-off-the-mark/5360732
The private health insurance industry is overdue for a shake-up. Selling Medibank Private won't achieve that, but nor will it do harm.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-02/duckett-medibank-sale-doomsayers-are-off-the-mark/5360732#commentsStephen DuckettWed, 02 Apr 2014 08:12:06 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-02/duckett-medibank-sale-doomsayers-are-off-the-mark/5360732Health InsuranceHealth PolicyFederal GovernmentMedibank Private sale could boost executives' pay by millionshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-28/medibank-execs-could-gain-million-dollar-pay-rise-in-sell-off/5353154
Senior executives at Medibank Private are set to be the big winners if the insurance company is sold off, an expert says.
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Lorna KnowlesFri, 28 Mar 2014 18:55:16 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-28/medibank-execs-could-gain-million-dollar-pay-rise-in-sell-off/5353154Health InsurancePrivatisation and DeregulationGovernment and PoliticsHealth PolicyMedibank Private: long path to privatisationhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/medibank-private-long-path-to-privatisation/5347690
It was early September 2001 when I ran into George Savvides on a busy weekday evening at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport.
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Peter RyanWed, 26 Mar 2014 20:12:02 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/medibank-private-long-path-to-privatisation/5347690Privatisation and DeregulationHealth InsuranceGovernment and PoliticsFederal GovernmentHealth AdministrationCompany NewsFederal Government confirms sale of Medibank Privatehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/federal-government-confirms-sale-of-medibank/5347758
Wed, 26 Mar 2014 19:40:00 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/federal-government-confirms-sale-of-medibank/5347758Health InsuranceInsuranceFederal GovernmentNews in 90 Secondshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/news-in-90-seconds/5347372
Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:54:42 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/news-in-90-seconds/5347372Government and PoliticsAir TransportRoyal CommissionsHealth InsuranceSign on a Medibank building in Sydneyhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/sign-on-a-medibank-building-in-sydney-on-june-92c-2011/5347254
Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:09:26 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/sign-on-a-medibank-building-in-sydney-on-june-92c-2011/5347254Health InsuranceGovernment confirms sale of Medibank Privatehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-26/government-announces-sale-of-medibank-private/5347136
The Federal Government and Opposition are at odds over the merits of the proposed sale of Medibank Private, including whether it will lead to a rise in insurance premiums.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has announced the government-owned company will be sold through an initial public offering in the next financial year, 2014-15.

He says the details are yet to be finalised but that an independent scoping study has found no evidence that premiums will increase as a result of the privatisation.

Senator Cormann says no one investor will be able to buy more than a 15 per cent share in the insurer, which was valued at more than $4 billion in 2006 but recently estimated at being worth around half that.

But the Opposition believes Medibank Private should stay in public hands and has raised concerns about premium rises and the future of the insurer's employees.

Medibank Private began trialling the program last November at six north Brisbane medical practices and aims to expand it to 30 more sites in Queensland, as well as other states.

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Thu, 20 Mar 2014 17:21:30 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-20/ama-concerns-over-private-health-priority-treatment-medicare/5333858Health InsuranceFederal - State IssuesActivism and LobbyingPaying the price for avoidable health riskshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-18/barnes-taking-responsibility-for-our-health-choices/5326254
If people take avoidable health and injury risks, why shouldn't they be asked to help cover the costs when things go pear-shaped?

With government health budgets severely stretched, surely it's reasonable to send these people a substantial emergency department bill, or review their Medicare benefits, if they need to be stitched up, patched up, or otherwise sorted out after their misadventures.

If we knew that irresponsibility had consequences, we would all make better decisions about our health.

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-18/barnes-taking-responsibility-for-our-health-choices/5326254#commentsTerry BarnesTue, 18 Mar 2014 06:14:29 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-18/barnes-taking-responsibility-for-our-health-choices/5326254HealthHealth AdministrationHealth InsuranceHealth PolicyFederal GovernmentNews in 90 Secondshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-06/news-in-90-seconds/5304444
Thu, 06 Mar 2014 20:30:00 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-06/news-in-90-seconds/5304444Government and PoliticsUnrest, Conflict and WarHealth PolicyHealth InsuranceCricketProfit increase for Hunter-based health insurerhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-24/profit-increase-for-hunter-based-health-insurer/5279410
Newcastle-based health fund nib has announced half-yearly profits have risen to almost $40 million, at a time when its average premiums are about to increase by 8 per cent.
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Mon, 24 Feb 2014 12:24:46 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-24/profit-increase-for-hunter-based-health-insurer/5279410Health InsuranceInsuranceGovernment criticised for PR hire to help with Medibank Private's potential salehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-12/government-criticised-for-hire-of-communications-firm-to-help-w/5254258
The Federal Opposition has attacked the Government for spending $2,000 a day for a communications adviser to help with the Coalition's plan to sell Medibank Private.
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Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:19:34 +1100http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-12/government-criticised-for-hire-of-communications-firm-to-help-w/5254258Health InsuranceHealthInsuranceBusiness, Economics and FinanceFederal GovernmentWorkCover overhaul to target system rortershttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-24/government-reveals-workcover-cuts/5217812
After several failed attempts to fix the crippled WorkCover compensation scheme, the SA Government will now go back to the drawing board and start again from scratch.

The Government says the scheme rewards workers for being sick, not for getting better and has foreshadowed changes it says will save businesses $180 million a year.